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title: Arthur Murray Dance Studio
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html_text: Arthur Murray Dance Studio has been a leading name in franchise dance since 1912, when the entrepreneur began selling mail-order dance lessons. Expanding his reach, he enlisted teachers to spread his signature dance lessons on first-class steamships and skyrocketed to fame in the '30s after introducing the public to such dances as the Lambeth Walk and the Big Apple. By the 1950s, Arthur and his wife, Kathryn, were hosting their own highly popular TV show on ABC, the Arthur Murray Dance Party, which ran for 12 years. Today, Arthur Murray's team prepares students for rug cutting at special events and weekend nightclub jaunts. Clients who arrive to lessons partnerless will be paired up with other classmates as the instructors assess their current skill level and make recommendations on the most appropriate program. Throughout lessons, instructors teach the foundations of two to four dances from a long list of styles that range from Latin to country-western, helping students to learn basic step patterns, timing, and the ability to lead or follow.

For more than three decades, ABC Tree Farms have provided the Bay Area with seasonal fun October through December. Summer inspires the first round of recreation in the form of Summer Fun Zones packed with inflatable bounce houses masquerading as castles and slides and fresh harvests of local cherries, peaches, melons, and other fruits. During October, they run 20 pumpkin-themed locations, some of which also feature inflatable bounce houses and other attractions. Once Thanksgiving passes, groves of Christmas trees spring up, having made their way south from Oregon and Washington. There they will stand until Christmas Eve, hoping to decorate homes or become the model that inspires a revamped line of evergreen air fresheners.

Conectando Latinos Social Club organizes events in the Bay Area to celebrate and bring awareness to Latino culture. Their events are open to professionals age 25 and up and cultivate a social atmosphere with organized ice breakers for singles, couples, and frozen explorers recently returned from the Arctic. Some of their affairs include courses on preparing Latin cuisine, which are usually supplemented by traditional cocktails and group dining. Dance classes celebrate heritage with movement, and weekend getaways via international cruises give members a firsthand glance at the lands where these traditions were born.

For more than a decade, Team Bay Tennis's founder and director Igor Savanovic has fine-tuned the swings of athletes ranging from beginners to pros. Savanovic and two other instructors tailor their instruction to varying levels of play. They work with graduated court and racket sizes while forming a personal rapport and motivational relationship with students. Adults hone strokes in clinics or one-on-one lessons that focus on technical aspects of the game, such as how to deal with hecklers.

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title: A Chat with Linh Dang Studio
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html_text: What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition?
This is class teaches you how to create your very own personal miniature accordion book to give as a gift to that special someone. Your final product will be a piece of art -UNIQUE and VALUABLE!
What was the inspiration to start or run this business?
My business started because I love books. Special books that costs you hundreds to buy. Instead of buying them, I created the ones I wanted. People started
commissioning me to make these books and I thought others would love it, too. Creating art is very healing to the soul.What do you love most about your job?
I love my job because I am able to make people happy with the beautiful items I create.

Chow down on all of your pub favorites at City Pub.
City Pub is also a good option for those with special dietary needs, offering both low-fat and gluten-free items on the menu.
Televisions are strewn throughout the bar, so fans can stay up to date on the latest sports happenings.
City Pub is a terrific spot for families to gather with its kid-friendly ambience and menu.
Wireless Internet access is available for no charge at City Pub.
Outdoor seating is ready for diners on those warm summer days.
No need to gussy up for a trip to City Pub, where patrons dress for comfort and fun.
Carry-out is also available for those who prefer to enjoy City Pub's cooking from the comfort of their own home.
Store your car on the street or in a nearby lot at City Pub.
Store your bike safely at one of the main bike racks near City Pub.
Taste the greatness City Pub is serving up with meals around $30.

Groupon Guide

This week, there’s a Litquake reading wherever you look, sand castles spring up on Ocean Beach, Oakland goes to the dogs, short horror films play at The New Parish, and Iliza Shlesinger performs at Cobb’s Comedy Club. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco.
Litquake
Multiple Locations | Saturday, October 11–Saturday, October 18
Litquake honors stories in every way possible: readings, workshops, and, of course, a closing pub crawl through the Mission District. This year’s calendar welcomes special guests such as Marc Maron and Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black. For a laugh, check out Wednesday’s “Readings from the Best-Ever Craigslist Postings.” (ticket prices vary; buy tickets here)
Leap’s 31st Annual Sandcastle Contest
Ocean Beach | Saturday, October 11
Each year, elementary-school students team up with local architects, engineers, and sponsors to build the most impressive sand castle on Ocean Beach, thereby raising funds for Leap's educational art programs. They’ll have four hours to sculpt and carve their creations to suit this year’s theme, “Food, Glorious Food!” (Balboa Street and Great Highway; free; buy tickets here)
Paws on the Square
Oakland | Wednesday, October 15
Paws on the Square gives pups and owners a chance to frolic on the Oakland waterfront. The month-long series, held each Wednesday in October, features canine massages, complimentary dog caricatures, and vendors of pooch-pampering goods. Even if you don’t have a four-legged friend, you can enjoy the fun solo or sign up to adopt a dog of your own. (Jack London Square and Broadway; free)
Scream 2014: East Bay Express’ Horror Film Festival
Oakland | Thursday, October 16
With Halloween on the horizon, East Bay Express and the Oakland Underground Film Festival have conspired to showcase more than 12 frightening indie shorts at The New Parish. The festival runs from 7 p.m. until midnight and also entertains guests with spooky-sexy burlesque performances. (579 18th St.; $10–$12; buy tickets here)
Iliza Shlesinger
Russian Hill | Friday, October 17
Iliza Shlesinger didn’t slow down after becoming the first woman to win NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2008. Since then, she’s hosted a dating reality show, recorded a comedy album, and started a podcast, in addition to performing live. Catch her commentary about dating, television, and all else at Cobb’s Comedy Club on Friday. (915 Columbus Ave.; $22.50; buy tickets here, or save with a Groupon)
Image credits: Litquake images courtesy of Litquake, sand castle photo courtesy of Trevor Mattea, dog photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

This week: gourmet chocolate floods Ghirardelli Square, a kimchi expert teaches you to jar your own cabbage, a pop-up film festival screens nine shorts, the San Francisco Improv Fest enters its second week, and Disney’s leading ladies are on display. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival
Russian Hill | Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14
A ticket to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival doesn’t just get you in—it also gets you 15 gourmet chocolate tastings. More than 30 vendors will be offering their sweets to sample, and special events range from chef demonstrations to a messy sundae-eating contest. (Ghirardelli Square, 900 N. Point St.; $20–$40; buy tickets here)
Learn to Make Kimchi
SoMa | Saturday, September 13, and Thursday, September 18
Like your cabbage fermented? Ellen White, owner of Ellen’s Kimchi, will be hosting a class on making your own jar of this famed Korean food, complete with some decorative twine, a label, and a recipe you can use at home whenever that craving strikes. (739 Bryant St.; $50 with a Groupon; buy tickets here)
Future Shorts Film Festival
Nob Hill | Friday, September 19
Future Shorts, a pop-up film festival known for its mold-breaking short films, celebrates summer’s end with nine pieces at Firehouse 8. The films range from the bizarre music video for Bonobo’s “Cirrus” (shown above) to the locally made Typist, about a man and his typewriter navigating a technophile’s world. (1648 Pacific Ave.; $10; buy tickets here)
San Francisco Improv Fest
Financial District | Tuesday, September 16, to Saturday, September 20
The second week of the San Francisco Improv Fest kicks off with Speechless, a show that provides performers with a PowerPoint presentation that they’ve never seen before, and demands that they wow the audience. Also on the schedule: the all-women group Chick Flick, the guitar-toting duo Huge, and 30 Rock’s Scott Adsit. (215 Jackson St.; ticket prices vary based on the event; buy tickets here)
Leading Ladies and Femmes Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis
Presidio | Mondays, Wednesdays–Sundays through November 3
Animator Marc Davis was behind some of Disney’s most memorable women, including Tinkerbell, Maleficent, and Cruella de Vil. This exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum showcases these extraordinary ladies and the talent that brought them to life, displaying artwork from Davis’s personal collection in addition to other sources. (104 Montgomery St.; $12–$20; buy tickets here)
Image credits: Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival photo by James Hall Photography, Marc Davis photo courtesy of WDW News Today

San Francisco has an infinite supply of two things: tech startups and out-of-town guests. And if you work at one, you might not have time for the other. So, what do you do when visitors ask for recommendations? You could direct them to the Golden Gate Bridge (again) … or, you could check out these cliché-free suggestions. And, as always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco.
Beyond Canvas
Why take home a postcard when you can create your own painting of a San Francisco monument? With Beyond Canvas, out-of-towners can spend three hours plein-air painting at an iconic location in the city. They’ll capture some of the gorgeous San Francisco scenery while creating their own souvenir, all under the guidance of a pro. Plus, the materials are legit: students use French easels and specialized brushes.
SideTour
It’s hard to sum up SideTour—it encompasses everything from sailing on the bay to rolling your own sushi. The curated activities are presented by local artisans, chefs, winemakers, and more, so they’re a great way for sightseers to experience San Francisco as a diverse cultural powerhouse.
Cozymeal
If you work nights, and you don’t want to leave your guests fending for themselves at a restaurant, Cozymeal has you covered. Customers visit a local’s home—some hosts are professional chefs, others just like to cook and entertain—where they can break bread, share stories, and learn new cooking techniques themselves.
Nomaders
Nomaders are people who love San Francisco and want to share its secrets with others. They might take your guests out for a killer cup of coffee, a short hike, or drinks at a local speakeasy. Clients can propose ideas for excursions or take a suggestion from the service, but either way, they’ll know more about the city than they did before.
Images courtesy of Beyond Canvas and Nipkon Tran